Longtime administrative assistant to city fire chiefs retires

Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service administrative assistant Becky Mullins, left, looks on as Fire Chief Alan Martin speaks about her tenure during a reception for her at City Hall on Thursday.

Dusty Compton | The Tuscaloosa News

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

Published: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 11:29 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Tuscaloosa firefighters said goodbye Thursday to a person who has been around for most of their careers.

Becky Mullins retired from the city of Tuscaloosa after 25 years on Thursday. She worked for the last 20 as the administrative assistant to three successive fire chiefs.

“Becky has always taken the firefighters on like they were one of hers and guided them through the whole process from the time they started. She’s the one constant you could count on,” said Chief Alan Martin, who was hired to lead the department in 2002. He said that Mullins was essential as he made the transition from an assistant chief for the Birmingham Fire Department.

“She just welcomed me like I’d been here my whole life. She was sending me information and helping before I even started,” he said. “And she’s been extremely helpful for the last 10 years. We’re going to miss her.”

Firefighters and city employees wished Mullins well at a reception at City Hall on Thursday morning before firefighters drove her around to the department’s 11 stations to say goodbye.

“It’s a family,” she said. “Members of the fire department take care of each other. We’ve gone through a lot together and shared a lot together. It’s been wonderful.”

Mullins, who lives in Northport, plans to take up golf again and spend time fishing. If she has time, that is. She has seven grandchildren to occupy her time.

“This job has been a blast,” Mullins said. “It’s the best job in the whole city.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Tuscaloosa firefighters said goodbye Thursday to a person who has been around for most of their careers. </p><p>Becky Mullins retired from the city of Tuscaloosa after 25 years on Thursday. She worked for the last 20 as the administrative assistant to three successive fire chiefs.</p><p>“Becky has always taken the firefighters on like they were one of hers and guided them through the whole process from the time they started. She's the one constant you could count on,” said Chief Alan Martin, who was hired to lead the department in 2002. He said that Mullins was essential as he made the transition from an assistant chief for the Birmingham Fire Department.</p><p>“She just welcomed me like I'd been here my whole life. She was sending me information and helping before I even started,” he said. “And she's been extremely helpful for the last 10 years. We're going to miss her.”</p><p>Firefighters and city employees wished Mullins well at a reception at City Hall on Thursday morning before firefighters drove her around to the department's 11 stations to say goodbye.</p><p>“It's a family,” she said. “Members of the fire department take care of each other. We've gone through a lot together and shared a lot together. It's been wonderful.”</p><p>Mullins, who lives in Northport, plans to take up golf again and spend time fishing. If she has time, that is. She has seven grandchildren to occupy her time.</p><p>“This job has been a blast,” Mullins said. “It's the best job in the whole city.”</p><p>Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210.</p>